What has better gas mileage, Outback or Forester?
When it comes to choosing between the Subaru Outback and Forester, one key factor to consider is fuel efficiency. Both vehicles are known for their versatility and off-road capabilities, but their gas mileage can vary. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the fuel economy of the Outback and Forester to help you determine which model might be the better choice for your driving needs.
Outback Gas Mileage
The Subaru Outback is available with a few different engine options, which can impact its fuel efficiency. The base model Outback with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive is estimated to get 26 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. This is a respectable fuel economy for a midsize crossover SUV.
However, the Outback is also offered with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This turbocharged model is rated at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The added power comes at the cost of slightly lower fuel efficiency.
Forester Gas Mileage
The Subaru Forester, on the other hand, is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as standard. In its base configuration with all-wheel drive, the Forester is estimated to achieve 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. This matches the fuel economy of the base Outback model.
It's worth noting that the Forester does not offer a turbocharged engine option, unlike the Outback. This means the Forester's fuel efficiency remains consistent across the lineup, without a more powerful but less efficient variant.
Comparing the Fuel Economy
Based on the available information, the Subaru Outback and Forester have very similar fuel economy ratings, especially in their base configurations. Both models are estimated to achieve 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with their standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive.
The key difference is that the Outback offers a turbocharged engine option, which sacrifices some fuel efficiency for increased power. If maximizing gas mileage is your top priority, the standard Outback or the Forester would be the better choice over the turbocharged Outback.
Ultimately, the decision between the Outback and Forester will depend on your specific needs and preferences, with fuel economy being just one factor to consider. Both vehicles are known for their capability, reliability, and versatility, so you can't go wrong with either choice.
Why is a Subaru Outback more expensive than the Subaru Forester?
The Outback is slightly more expensive than the Forester, and it has a few more luxury leaning features as a result. Take the optional 11.6-inch touchscreen as an example; it's much bigger than the Forester's optional 8.0-inch screen.
Which has a smoother ride, Outback or Forester?
Outback has the longer wheelbase (the distance between the axles is four inches longer than the Forester). Lengthening the distance between the axles provides an even smoother ride because the vehicle corners of the vehicle cover a larger area and therefore bumps are less noticeable.
What are the weaknesses of a Subaru Forester?
Check out our list of Subaru Forester issues below.
- Engine Issues. There are a variety of issues that owners have reported that are related to the Check Engine light being illuminated.
- Transmission Problems.
- Oil Consumption.
- Electrical Issues.
Does a Subaru Forester get good gas mileage?
Highway: 28 mpg* City: 25 mpg*
What is the best Subaru for gas mileage?
The Subaru vehicle with the highest mpg ratings is the 2022 Subaru Impreza, which offers up to 36 highway mpg and 28 city mpg.
What is the biggest issue with a Subaru Forester?
And 178 lb feet of torque. That's not a lot of power for a modern vehicle with each iteration the Forester becomes heavier and heavier.
What year to avoid a Subaru Forester?
Forester Model Years To Avoid: First Generation 1998-2001
The Foresters from 2001 and before had the most significant gasket head problems, with the 1998 being the worst of the first-generation models. The problem was caused by a single-layer head gasket that was too weak.
What gets better gas mileage, Outback or Forester?
2025 Subaru Forester Multimedia Touchscreens
Both vehicles have similar gas mileage, but the Forester has a slight edge over the Outback, with 33 MPG highway and 26 MPG city on all trims except the rugged Forester Wilderness.
Is Subaru Forester cheap to maintain?
A Subaru Forester is third on the list and will cost about $8,337 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service. This is more than the industry average for popular SUV models by $87.
Why are Subaru Foresters not selling?
The popular Forester's five-month drop in sales performance has a lot to do with the economy. Many seniors look at the Forester and compare the price with the Crosstrek and can get an excellent all-wheel-drive vehicle for about $5,000 less—and even more so on the upper Touring trim level.
